Chapter 11
Scarlett's POV
I can't help but wince at her words. Not because they hurt, but because they expose a raw nerve in our relationship. A chasm that had been growing ever since I decided to take a different path in life. One she clearly resents.
"It's not about being better," I reply, searching her face for a hint of the stepsister I once knew. "It's about finding my own way, finding strength in myself."
She snorts, a bitter, cynical sound. "Strength? By going overseas? Abandoning your family?"
Memories flood back: arguments, hurtful words, doors slammed. The fracture between us isn't new, but it's become more pronounced since I left for school Yet, how can I make her understand? "Viola, my education was never about abandoning anyone. It was about self-discovery and empowerment. It was about not being limited by the shadow of someone else."
She takes a step back, and for a moment, I see a flicker of the old Viola. The one who laughed easily and loved fiercely. She is quickly replaced by the woman who lay like a Jezebel with my fiancé and ruin my father's company. “Oh… is whiddle Scar-Scar going to cry?” she asks, sing-songing her acidic words.
I stand at the entrance of the room, feeling as if my heart has been yanked out. Viola and I have always been at odds, but this...this was unthinkable.
Trying to keep my voice steady, I reply, "That's not fair, Viola. I never tried to overshadow you."
Anger wells in me, hot and fast. “Viola,” I say, wiping at my tears, “you helped Thomas ruin Daddy's company.”
I breathe, "Father left the company to me, but if you had just talked to me, we could have figured things out together."
She laughs bitterly, stepping closer. “Why should I wait for your charity, Scarlett? Growing up, everything came your way first. I'm done being second place."
She belts out a laugh, spittle hitting me in the forehead. “Why are you so upset, dear stepsister? Thomas got tired of waiting for the Little Miss Virgin to give it up, and he came to me.” She thumps her chest like a gorilla to emphasize her point. “For months while you were studying your animal stuff in Ghent, I've been giving Thomas what a man needs, and here you are, crying over some stupid company.”
“Viola,” I say in a deadly voice, “you sicken me.”
Her face goes apoplectic with rage. She cackles out a bitter laugh. “I sicken you? You are so stupid. I wanted to ruin you and I have. Without your father's support, how can you continue to study, how can you continue to seduce men, and how can you run your family's company?”
“Father left the company to me, but I would have gladly shared it with you.”
Viola laughs and says,”I don't want your hand-me-downs, Scarlett. Am I not allowed to make plans for myself? Growing up, every good thing you were given first? But did you think what's yours was yours?"
Her face is a malevolent mask as she continues, "Your home is now my home; your company is now my company; your boyfriend? Now he's my boyfriend! this! Your favorite vase is now my vase and I can do whatever I want with it.”
Viola grabs my favorite vase from the side table and hurls it to the ground. I watch in horror as it splinters into countless fragments, mirroring my shattered emotions.
Anger bubbles up, hot and raw. Almost involuntarily, I strike her. The smack echoes in the room.
She reels back, fury evident on her face. Without warning, she lunges at me, fingers curled like talons, ready to scratch.
Suddenly, a shout. Arms encircle me, pulling me away from the fray.
It's Thomas, eyes dark with anger. “How dare you lay a hand on her?” he snarls, pushing me towards the stairs.
My heart races, memories of happier times with Thomas blurring with the reality of his betrayal. But before he can do anything, a blur intervenes.
I stumble back, finding myself on the floor.
A wail from Viola has me turning my head toward the noise.
I have never seen Jasper angry. He's always been smiling, polite and friendly.
Not now. I can't believe my eyes.
Jasper’s skin is stretched taut over his face, a vein bulges on his forehead and the muscles of his arms tense as he pins Thomas with a forearm to the throat. Jasper's eyes are like ice chips, cold and hard. He growls low and deep, a sound that sends shivers up my spine. I can sense the power radiating off him from where I stand. Jasper's canines slowly elongate. I can see Thomas struggling, but Jasper's grip on his neck only tightens. As he lifts Thomas higher into the air, my ex-fiancé's loafers flail helplessly.
I fear for his life.
“Jasper...” I murmur, torn between shock and gratitude.
He doesn't release Thomas, but his eyes soften a fraction when they meet mine. “You okay, Scarlett?”
I nod, still processing the revelation of Jasper's abilities. "I...I'm fine. Just shaken."
As Jasper's hold tightens, I see Thomas' face redden. He's gasping for air.
“Enough, Jasper!” I plead. "We can't... not here."
He hesitates, then releases Thomas, who slumps to the ground, coughing.
“You're lucky she's merciful,” Jasper tells him coldly and turns to me.
But Thomas speaks up from behind, bitterness evident. "So, Scarlett, abandoning the family business?"
Jasper chuckles and faces him. “You think Harrington Holdings is just a simple company, Thomas? You're out of your depth.”
I'm shocked. How does Jasper know so much? "Jasper?"
He just smirks at Thomas. “I'm aware of everything, including what you're trying to pull. My duty is to protect Scarlett from threats.”
Thomas fumes. “Are you implying she's with you now?”
The atmosphere is thick with tension. Viola chimes in, voice shrill. “What are you talking about, Thomas?”
Before anyone can respond, the sharp ring of a phone interrupts. Thomas extracts his phone from his pocket, answering with a gruff, “Yes?”
The color drains from his face as he listens. He stammers, “What do you mean the stock has plummeted?”
Beside me, Jasper chuckles darkly. “Seems like someone's having a bad day.”
I whisper to him, "What did you do, Jasper?"
He looks at me, blue eyes glinting. “Let's just say, Scarlett, Alpha has had your best interests at heart for longer than you know.”
On the phone, my ex's voice reaches new levels of panic. "This can't be happening!"
Finally, he hangs up, glaring at us. “You two will regret this.”
Jasper steps closer, a predatory grin on his face. “Scarlett was innocent, but you two? You're criminals. You plotted against her father's legacy. We've been watching.”
“What are you talking about?” Viola demands, her bravado waning.
“Oh, didn't Thomas tell you? We've been investigating his little schemes. And trust me, you won't like what we've uncovered.”
I feel a rush of emotions. Anger, betrayal, but mostly relief. “Is it true, Jasper? Was Thomas behind everything?”
“Everything and more,” Jasper confirms. “And now, they'll pay for it.”
We turn to leave, and I catch a last glimpse of Thomas and Viola, their expressions a mix of fear and confusion.
Once we're in the car, I turn to Jasper, a million questions on my mind. "Lorien is involved?"
He nods. “Lorien owns West Investments. He's been watching out for you, too.”
“But why? I don't even know him well.”
Jasper chuckles. "You have no idea how intertwined our worlds are, Scarlett."
I lean back, processing everything. "So, Lorien saved my father's company?"
“Yes, he saw what Thomas was planning and intervened. He's been protecting your legacy after you met each other.”
Gratitude fills me. "I need to thank him.”
Jasper smirks. “I'm sure he'd appreciate that.”
The drive back is filled with contemplative silence. Every revelation has made me question the world I thought I knew.
Finally, I whisper, “Jasper, thank you for saving me today.”
He nods, a small smile on his lips. “Always, Scarlett. Always.” As we pull out of the driveway, I realize that my world has forever changed.
“Alpha and I will make sure they pay for their crimes,” Jasper promises, heading out of the gated community..
“I know,” I reply, trusting him implicitly.
The rest of the drive to the compound passes in a blur. Jasper updates me on the ongoing investigations and assures me that both Thomas and Viola will face justice.